"You're building a base?" York asked idly as he watched Caboose help the Reds load material into the Warthog, which had its weaponry removed for this. "You know, we had a jeep or two outside the canyon you could have used."

"I'm sure the ship in orbit has a few too, but the Reds seem to be in a groove now. That and I didn't know Sarge knew how to handle Caboose so well," Church mused. "Also, do I want to know where Wyoming is?"

Delta chose this time to appear. "Agent Wyoming is currently sharing all information he has in regards to Project Freelancer, now that an official written order has been handed down from the higher authorities in the military."

"Fair enough on his part,' Church mused. "And yeah, might as well as get an outpost on the other side. This thing clearly isn't going away."

"That thing is still weird to look at," York remarked, glancing at the Gate. "That is straight-up magic BS."

"You're preaching to the choir, Yorkie," Church said with a chuckle. "What I want to know is who the hell opened it and why? If it was the same fucks that invaded, you'd think they would have closed it."

"Perhaps it cannot be deactivated until a set time passes?" Delta suggested.

"There's only two ideas that come to mind," York mused. "Like Delta said, they opened it but can't close it. Or, something else opened it. Which has some ominous implications."

"There is a third possibility," Delta opined. "It is possible that this "Gate" has some equivalent of an automatic system. That it is designed to create bridges between other worlds, possibly at random locations, with no input required."

"So our choices are the fuckers that came here, some unknown fuckers, or no fuckers at all," Church summarized. "Not like we'll find out until we get over there."

"Hehe, maybe we'll get to perform an encore of our last song and dance with these fools," Omega said deviously, appearing on Church's shoulder.

"Greetings, Omega," Delta greeted.

"Hello, Dexter," Omega said with a suffering drawl.

"Dexter?" York repeated.

"I mean, your name is Baxter, his is Delta," Church reminded with a shrug. "Kind of a given nickname."

"See! Church gets it!" Omega said, crossing his arms as if vindicated somehow.

"I'm...not getting involved in whatever this is," York said, glancing between the two AIs. "How long have you even been here, Omega?"

"You fool, I've been here before you," Omega said in annoyance. "Church and I were having a wonderful conversation on the possible alternate sniper rifles I can offer him in the future. He appears partial to the idea of acid bullets that will melt someone from the inside out."

York looked to Church in alarm.

"He wants to use them to melt people from the inside out. I just like the idea of an emergency "fuck your armor" option," Church clarified.

"I...okay, that's better than Omega's reason," York agreed, still alarmed. "Geeze, you really are the scary one between you and Tex."

"...I'm sorry, what?" Church said in surprise. "I'm the scary one?"

"Omega lives peacefully in your head," York reminded bluntly.

"Correct. You are objectively and factually terrifying," Delta agreed.

"You know Tex can kick my ass, right?" Church asked, almost laughing at this point.

"I still think we can take her," Omega said with a smirk.

"Carefully, O'Malley, I might just test that."

The four turned to see Tex standing not ten feet from them.

It was very clear she was staring only at Church.

"Omega, go keep an eye on the Reds," Church instructed.

"Right, call me if you need the cavalry, Boss," Omega said with an audible smirk before blipping out of existence.

"We'll just leave you two alone," York said, turning to walk away. "I forgot, Omega calls him Boss."

"I feel the urge to repeat my earlier statement: Objectively and factually terrifying," Delta said as they left.

Church and Tex were left standing in the middle of the canyon, the silence heavy between them.

"Hey," Church started.

"Hey," Tex returned.

"I'm guessing you told them everything," Church guessed.

"Yeah. Freelancer is shut down officially, and they're rounding up everything they can about the project," Tex mused.

"Shut down? You must have had something really bad on them," Church mused in interest.

"Yeah...really bad," Tex agreed softly.

"Tex, you came here. Obviously, you want to talk about something," Church said in concern. "We never had to do this tiptoe bullshit before."

"No, no we didn't," Tex agreed darkly, meaningfully.

"...What is that supposed to mean?" Church asked with a scowl.

"Nothing," Tex denied instantly. "Just...Church? Can I ask you something?"

"Of course you can? I'm more concerned that you thought you had to ask," Church stated bluntly.

"Do you ever think about how we first met?" Tex asked with a far-off tone.

"The first time? Geeze, after everything that's happened, it's hard to remember a time you weren't in my life," Church admitted fondly.

"Just...try?" Tex requested.

"Sure, if you want a trip down memory lane, fine," Church accepted. "Let's see. Not college. High school? Or was it middle school? I don't know. I just remember..."

"Yes?" Tex asked encouragingly.

"I was in this room. Detention or study hall, knowing me. I just remember struggling to figure things out. Some schoolwork that just went right over my head. I kept trying and trying to get the right answers until it hurt to think. And I was...so, so tired by that point. I practically fell asleep at my desk. I just wanted to rest," Church rambled. "Then you were there. I guess it was time to leave because you offered to help me get out of there."

"Yeah, yeah I did," Tex answered in a sad tone.

Too wrapped up in his recollection, Church didn't notice. "I don't remember much after that. I guess we hit it off pretty well. Though, I don't remember you ever being that nice to me. I'm sure there were some insults I forgot at the time, between sleep exhaustion and meeting a beautiful girl."

Tex said nothing, watching him intently. So intently, Church couldn't get a feel for her. Sad? Longing? Something.

"Why the sudden need for nostalgia?" Church asked, mind suddenly sharpening to the present.

"Just wondering if you remembered it any differently than me," Tex answered with a sigh. "Look, Church? I'm trying to figure out how to say...everything. I probably should have done that a long damn time ago."

"Probably. But I'm usually not thinking beyond how to survive today's brand of horseshit, so I can't really blame you," Church mused. "Seriously, Tex? I get it. There is a lot more baggage in this Freelancer stuff for you than I imagined. Take your time, and until you get your script together? We'll just ignore it."

"Ignore it," Tex repeated, a small smirk in her voice. "That how you solve most of your problems?"

"It works more often than you think," Church retorted. "So, sidestepping the emotional garbage for now, but staying on topic, what happens to all the Freelancers?"

"Well, assuming they don't try to resist or go rogue? They should just be detained and debriefed," Tex mused. "As for after that, I don't know. Might be jail, might not be. I'm not sure how well the military will look at a project like Freelancer doing very illegal things due to their leaders misleading them intentionally."

"I mean, you guys didn't do anything that would be considered a genocide against humans, right?" Church asked.

"No, Church, we didn't get hoodwinked into genocide," Tex said flatly.

"Then I'd say chances are good they won't get life sentences, "Church mused, looking back at the Gate with a hum.

"Do I want to know what you're thinking?" Tex asked curiously.

"Something kind of crazy," Church answered with a chuckle. "For now-"

He stopped as his radio suddenly went off.

"One moment. Who the hell is this now?" Church asked in annoyance.

"Hey, umm, Church?" Tucker spoke up. "We, umm, we're at peace with the aliens now, right?"

"Yes? Why?" Church asked, a long pause before he grimaced. "There's an alien in blue base, isn't there?"

"Yep," Tucker answered nervously.

"God dammit," Church groaned.

"That would be my call," Tex said, already heading towards Blue Base.

"Just don't attack them first, we're not restarting this damn war," Church called after.

"I'll try my best!" Tex waved over her shoulder.

"Why the hell would I do that?" Tucker asked in surprise.

"Not you, Tex. Are they...attacking you?" Church asked curiously.

"No? They're trying to talk to us. Junior seems to be having better luck. Somehow," Tucker explained.

"Thrilling. Look, I'll go get Andy, hopefully defuse this mess," Church said, resigned to the latest mess in his life.

"Was that a fucking pun?" Tucker asked in amusement.

"No, fucking puns are your shtick," Church retorted, cutting off the coms. "Hey, Sheila! I need a ride through the Gate! That purple bike thing over here?"

"What, am I not good enough to give you a ride?" Sheila asked in jealousy.

"Umm," Church hesitated. "More like I need to do this quick. And I need you to keep an eye on the base in case I need you to blow something up."

"Oh! Okay. And yes, the purple turdcraft is right behind me, where it belongs," Sheila explained, a bit too cheerfully.

"Not addressing that, alien in the base, have fun!" Church said as he jumped into the vehicle.

And immediately crashed into Sheila's backside.

"Oh my! I didn't know you were that type of robot, Church," Sheila said in a scandalized voice.

"Sorry! Sorry! Just...dammit, are these controls inverted or something?!" Church asked in annoyance as he got it to move backward before heading towards the Gate in a very wiggly path. "Where's the speed on this thing!? Dammit, why would anyone put that there!? Fuck this, I'm running it!"

"Good luck, Church!" Sheila called after before turning her cannon towards the hovercraft. "We will not speak of what just happened, and your scrap date will be pushed back by a great amount of time. Okay? Okay. Good."

Meanwhile

"Goddamn, I almost forgot what stars look like," Grif said as they looked up at the night sky.

"I don't think I've ever seen the night sky like this!" Donut said in amazement.

"No light or air pollution does wonders for nighttime aesthetics," Simmons said in agreement.

"I don't know what you slackers are on about. The skies were always like this when I was a wee little soldier, playing with my BB gun," Sarge said, joining them regardless. "Well, not like this. Can't see any star pictures."

"Constellations, sir?" Simmons provided.

"Right, conSTARnations, that's it!" Sarge said with a chuckle.

"I mean, even if we had nighttime in Blood Gulch, we still wouldn't have the same patterns in the stars as on Earth, Sir," Simmons mentioned.

"We wouldn't?" Grif asked in surprise.

"Of course we wouldn't! Different angles, locations, and all that," Sarge pointed out. "Still, wonder what stories and constellations the varmints from here have."

"That's actually a great question, Sarge!" Donut said enthusiastically. "Maybe we should ask one of the locals when we have a chance!"

"Orgánicos débiles. Ves un cielo nocturno, los has visto todos," Lopez said dispassionately. (Feeble organics. You see one night sky, you have seen them all.)

"What, a romantic bag of nuts and bolts like you can't enjoy a good view?" Andy asked, placed on the back of the warthog.

"¿Puede usted?" Lopez countered. (Can you?)

"Of course! Why wouldn't I appreciate watching the lights from giant explosions that last for millions of years and can be seen across the entire fucking universe?" Andy pointed out.

Lopez conceded that point.

"Guys! GUYS!"

Everyone turned to the gate and saw a figure running through it.

"Church?" Simmons realized in surprise as the blue trooper emerged.

"Guys, guys! I need Andy! And the warthog!" Church said suddenly.

"What in tarnation! That wasn't part of the deal!" Sarge said suspiciously.

"Enough with the drama, Sarge! We got aliens back at the base and I am NOT letting Tucker be the reason for restarting the war!" Church said instantly.

"Andy's in the jeep, keys are in the ignition," Grif said bluntly.

"Thank you! And- wait..." Church looked around in concern. "Where the fuck is Caboose?!"

"Oh him? He went back through the portal," Donut answered.

"Pero a través del otro lado," Lopez informed. (But through the other side.)

"Lopez says he went in through the backside," Andy informed.

"Shit! He's probably already back in Blood Gulch!" Church said, grabbing Andy quickly.

"Hey! Watch how you handle my ball!" Andy protested.

"You ARE a ball!" Church pointed out as he began to floor it.

"Watch it, you dingus! In case you forgot, I got no arms!" Andy exclaimed over Church's frantic driving.

"Grif, why in the name of all that is Red and glorious did you let him take the warthog?" Sarge accused.

"Because the war restarting equals more work for me," Grif answered as if it were obvious.

In hindsight, Sarge groaned and supposed it should have been obvious.

Meanwhile

"Great, we're here. Tucker, you still alive?" Church asked, stopping in front of Blue Base.

"Umm, yeah," Tucker answered uneasily.

"Do nottell me the alien is dead," Church demanded as he picked up Andy.

"No, they're alive. And they brought company," Tucker informed carefully.

"Goddammit, more?" Church groaned as he began to enter the base. "Any idea what they want? The sword?"

"Not my main question right now, Church," Tucker admitted bluntly.

"What the hell does-" Church stopped as he entered the building. There was indeed another alien, dark green and somehow a bit meaner looking than Crunchbite, standing in front of Tucker and conversing with Junior. There was also another trooper present. "There you are, Caboose! What are you doing here?"

A voice called out from behind him. "Oh, I was just looking for the hammer the reds gave me."

Church spun around in surprise, seeing another blue soldier. "Caboose?"

"Yes, hello! I am here," Caboose greeted friendly. "Hello, Andy."

"Hey, Caboose," Andy greeted casually.

"Wait, if you're here, then who...?" he turned back to the other blue soldier.

"It's been a while, Private Church," a familiar, friendly voice greeted him.

If he wasn't using a robot body, Church's jaw would have dropped. "...FLOWERS!?"

"Dandelions!" Caboose exclaimed before raising his gun at Flowers.

"BLARG?!" the new alien exclaimed, raising his weapon as well.

"Wow wow wow!" Church said, getting in the center. "Caboose, the fuck?!"

"But Church! He's a bad person! Like an evil-me!" Caboose protested.

"I see you've been taking excellent care of Blue Team, Church," Flower praised. "You even have a very adorable and loyal recruit of your own!"

"Not the time, Flowers! I'm still not done freaking out because of you," Church said over his shoulder. "And Caboose, he's not evil! Just...a bit too friendly."

"What? Oh, O'Malley, you lied to me! You said he was going to hurt Church!" Caboose complained.

Omega appeared on Caboose's shoulder. "I stand by that statement, you buffoon! Don't lower your weapon!"

Church sighed, placing Andy down. "Andy, talk to the alien, tell him this is a human-human thing, we're not fighting because of him or something."

"Right, right, keep Blargy from getting needle-happy," Andy droned.

"Okay, Omega, the fuck do you have against Flowers? He was dead before you got here!" Church reminded, before rounding on Flowers. "And by the way, this is bullshit!"

"This meaning what, Private?" Flowers asked, amused but confused.

"First off, it's Captain now," Church informed flatly.

"Congratulations!" Flowers said, his smile obvious even with the helmet.

"You're back from the dead, and YOU got to keep your body!? That is fucksauce! You know how many bodies I've had to jump through since coming back!?" Church asked in annoyance.

Flowers jerked back, for once uncomfortable. "Umm...?"

"Two! Which isn't a lot, but it's more than it should have been!" Church answered in annoyance. Without so much as a pause, he turned to face Caboose and Omega again. "Again, the hell is your deal?"

"Deal? Are we playing cards?" Caboose suddenly gasped. "Can we play UNO again?!"

"He was talking to me, dimwit," Omega said with a groan. "Church, meet one Agent Florida."

"...What?" Church deadpanned, turning to his captain.

"The Fuck!?" Tucker exclaimed.

"What about Phase 10?" Caboose tried but found himself ignored.

"Agent Florida, meet my boss," Omega said with a cackle.

"...What?" Flowers asked in alarm.

"Yeah, a lot has happened while you were dead," Church said evenly, Omega transferring to him and appearing on his shoulder. "I met back up with my girlfriend Tex and her rabid, bloodthirsty, killer AI decided it liked sharing a headspace with me more."

"Oh," Flowers said, suddenly very cautious and careful with what he said. "I see. That is, well, interesting!"

"Yes, about as interesting as my Captain secretly being part of Project Freelancer," Church mused in a dangerously calm voice. "Omega, you know why he was here?"

"If I had to hazard a guess? I would say this saccharine fool was here just in case Tex and me came to you," Omega mused with a devious cackle. "Though, by the sounds of it, he bit the dust just before we got here!"

"Agent Texas?" Flowers repeated in surprise.

"Yes? Who do you-" Church stopped as he realized Flowers wasn't looking at him. He turned and saw Tex standing near the entrance. "Where the hell have you been?"

"I called what was happening to Emersyn," Tex informed in an almost scolding tone. "Then I was keeping an eye on Florida's resurrected ass because...well, I thought he was Caboose until I heard him talking."

"I do hope you washed that armor before you put it on, Private Tucker," Flowers said. "Hygiene is very important in this military!"

"No, he didn't! He makes me clean off all the black stuff!" Caboose complained.

"He's not talking about that, you idiot!" Tucker retorted.

"Black stuff?" Flowers repeated with a hum. "The teleporter still does that?"

"Yes, and stop talking casually! You've been dead for...gods, I don't even remember! Has it been a year? It feels like at least a year," Church said with a sigh.

"Yeah, Church?" Andy spoke up. "Ganky Blargass the Third over here told me. He resurrected the daisypusher to help him find the sword. Apparently, he's here about the prophecy and dead alien."

"He revived him?" Church repeated, looking at the alien suddenly. "You revived him?"

"Honk," the alien responded.

"Andy. Translate. Now," Church ordered firmly.

"Cool your shorts Captain Shisno. He understands us for the most part, I just got to translate for him," Andy explained. "And he says yes, by the way."

"Could he resurrect another body or two?" Church asked pointedly.

"Church, that might not be a good idea," Tex cautioned.

"Wait, I'm confused. Who else was dead beside me?" Flower asked in bewilderment.

"Me and Tex. We're ghosting robot bodies now," Church informed bluntly before turning his attention back to the alien and Andy. "So, can he?"

"Oh. Oh...," Flowers said in realization, turning to Tex slowly.

Unseen, Tex subtly nodded to Flowers, confirming what she knew he suspected.

"So, it'll take a few days to do again? I can live with that," Church mused as Andy finished translating, his voice a bit more cheerful. "Hey, Tex, you hear that? We might get our old bodies back!"

"Assuming they're not too decomposed," Tex pointed out carefully.

"Oh, that's bull. Flowers was dead way longer than us and he's fine," Church countered, before looking at Flowers carefully. "You are, right?"

"Well, I feel like I have bedsores all over my body, but none of me is rotting away," Flowers informed cheerfully.

"I still don't trust him. I say we blast him into oblivion!" Omega suggested.

"You'd say that about a puppy," Church countered.

"No, I wouldn't! I'd do that just to do it. I'd blast this one because I don't trust him," Omega countered.

"Point," Church conceded, looking up at Flowers. "Long story short, we know about the fake war, we have a UNCS ship in orbit, Project Freelancer is kaput and being cleaned up, we have a magic gate, and a whole slew of shit to deal with even after we got rid of all the corpses in Blood Gulch. Now, you want to tell us why you were at this base?"

Agent Florida looked to Tex, who nodded. "Yeah, that's about the gist of it," she confirmed, eyeing him warily.

Flowers took all that in and considered his options. He could go with the easy out, confirm Omega's idea and say he was there in case Tex showed up. Or he could reveal the truth, possibly make things easier on himself if he was taken to military court over this.

Or he could just do both. Because why not?

"Well, Omega isn't entirely wrong. We thought Agent Texas might show up here," Flowers informed, still far too cheerful for this topic. "Because I was sent to guard something in this canyon."

"What, there is something actually of importance in this dead-end of the galaxy?" Church asked with a snort.

"You mean besides the temple, the sword-key, and the other temple?" Caboose asked in confusion.

"And the magic gate, can't forget that," Tucker chimed in.

"Shut it, all of you!" Church snapped, eyes back on Flowers. "What was your mission, Agent Florida?"

Tex flinched and looked away at the tone of Church's voice.

Florida didn't notice that reaction, but he was aware of the change in Church's tone and responded according.

"I was sent to guard the Alpha AI."

End of Chapter

Well...yeah, that happened. Church is coming very close to knowing the truth and everyone that knows it are a little on edge. For the record, I'm not trying to tease the "when will they tell him" angle, it's just that Tex wants to tell him but isn't sure how to do it right. But yeah, Flowers is back and finds out that a lot of stuff has happened.

Not a whole lot more to say. Hope you guys are all happy that they are technically on the otherside of the Gate now. However, it's too early for any army to show up, so mainly they're just base building.

Hope everyone had a good thanksgiving!

Early viewing of chapters 16-17 avaliable on my pat-reon:

p a treon . com (slash) akumakami64